Surf's Up: Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys

"Particularly poignant ... tasteful and compassionate" — Shindig

Capturing all the pain and glory of this incredible family saga, Surf's Up is the definitive tribute to a remarkable band — and the genius who made it all possible.

If any man in pop history deserved the tag of genius, it was Brian Wilson. As leader, producer and chief composer of the Beach Boys, he displayed an instinctive command of melody, harmony and arranging skills. The result was a run of hits that included many of the most sparkling and creative records of the 1960s.

But there was a dark side to this seemingly effortless success, rooted in his tortured family background. No sooner had Brian masterminded such gems as the Pet Sounds album and Good Vibrations than his psychological demons began to derail his life.

The Beach Boys were left struggling for survival, grasping for salvation from such bizarre figures as TM guru the Maharishi and cult leader Charles Manson. Their story could have ended there, but somehow the band survived. Ahead lay decades of trauma, triumph and tragedy, as the band members all developed as songwriters but also found themselves increasingly at odds with each other. Through it all the music survived, as Brian's younger brother Dennis Wilson emerged as an equally creative but troubled presence.

Surf's Up sees lifelong Beach Boys fan Peter Doggett capture all the glory and pain of this complex family saga. He celebrates the band's array of musical gems, and also explores many of their passionate obsessions, from surfing and cars to politics and food.

Filled with drama and pathos, Surf's Up is the ultimate tribute to a remarkable band — and the genius who made it all possible.